Earl,
The clone ELLEN VALENCIA, mixed with a number of sibling clones is, and will be, marketed by several organic farms locally. The public will try them through farmers' markets, CSA's, and a few Seattle restaurants. Total production is just a few tons. I will see if more can be produced for next year. Keep in mind, this clone has existed for only two years now.
The clone by itself will be increased internally for seed increase and observation.
The clean up will take a few months and a few more to produce the test tube plantlets to be planted out in the greenhouse to produce mini tubers. This is done by potato labs equiped to produce pathogen free tubers prior to certified potato plantings in the field. Normally it takes two years or more to produce enough seed stock to allow a commercial grower to gear-up for brokered sales. Even then, brokers have difficulty selling an unknown product even if it is an improvement.
I remember less than 20 years ago when Yukon Gold was still rather unknown. A grower in Kern County, California took out $20,000 ads in the Los Angeles Times to promote Yukon Gold.
Mail order sales of certified seed or mini tubers to home gardeners would be a quicker way to promote Ellen Valencia potatoes.
Tom Wagner
Redmond, WA
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